Mark Cavendish celebrated victory at the Tour of Qatar for a third successive day to enhance his overall lead.

The sprint win on the 154-kilometre fifth stage from Al Zubara Fort to Madinat Al Shamal again justified the Manxman's off-season move from Team Sky to Omega Pharma-QuickStep.

Cavendish, who claimed a 10-second time bonus with victory, holds a two-second lead going into Friday's final stage, the 116km route from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, as he goes in search of the second overall win of his career.

Five BMC Racing riders are behind Cavendish, with American Brent Bookwalter second and Briton Adam Blythe nine seconds adrift in fourth.